The article focuses on the problems arising in connection with documentary credits in international private law. after a short description of the role of the parties involved, it describes the criteria which should be applied to determine the international jurisdiction and the applicable law. Due to its independant nature, conflicts concerning the different legal relations involved in a documentary credit are often brought before different judges. The assessment of the applicable law on the contrary will in most circumstances lead to the same result. Related problems, as problems concerning securities, seizure and bills of exchange are governed by specific laws. Published in: Revue de la Banque/Bank- en Financiewezen, 1999/5, pp.208-217.